Primer for pumps



AUS. Y11 1942- B. D. BARTON 2,292,862

PRIMER FOR PUMPS l Filed Jan. 1o, 1942 1N VENT OR,

5677 'WW/)7 drh/7 BY MP www A TTORNE YS.

Patented Aug. 1.1, 1942 UNITED STATES iATENT OFFICE f 2,292,862 l i YPRIMER Foa PUMPS Benjamin Dfarton, BattleCreek, Mich., assignor toAmerican-Marsh Pumps, Inc., Battle Creek, Mich., acorporation ofMichigan Y Application January 1o, 1942, serial No. 426,298

13 Claims.

rihe main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved priming device for centrifugal or rotarypumps which is very rapid and effective in action.

Second, toprovide a primer of this character which is well adapted to beoperatively associated with the intake manifold of an internalcombustion engine employed in driving the pump, the engine beingsafe-guarded from damage in the priming operation.V

Third, to provide a priming device ofV the type'described which isnotrlikely to become inoperative in use or as a result of jamming of theparts and one which cannot become water clogged. Y

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is dened and pointedout'in the claims. V V

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view mainly invertical section on line I-I ofFig 2 of a structure embodying the features of my present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary topvplan view partially broken away and inhorizontal section illustrating further details. Y

My present invention is particularly desirable for use in primingcentrifugal pumps which are driven by an internal combustion engine, theintake manifold of the engine being employed as a source of vacuum forthe priming operation. However, other sources of vacuum may be used oremployed with many of the advantages of the structure illustrated whichis shown in operative relation to a manifold.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, the reference numeral Igenerally designates a housing, the main body or portion of which isformed as a casting suitably cored to provide chambers and parts toIbehereinafter described. Within this housing I I provide a main floatchamber 2 and an amiliary float chamber 3 disposed in side by siderelation. Above or in elevated position relative to these oat chambers Iprovide a vacuum chamber 4 and above thisl provide a chamber 5 forhousing an eX- pansible and contractible pressure responsive element tobe described.

The main float chamber 2 is provided with a connection 6 at the bottomthereof to the pump to be primed indicated at 1.

The auxiliary float chamber 3 is provided at the top thereof with aconnection 8 to a mani fold 9 or other source of vacuum. A manuallyactuable control valve (not shown) is desirably included in thisconnection. It will be understood that these several chambers constitutea closedrsystemV except for venting and draining means to ,bedescribed.V

rIhe main float chamber 2 is connected to the bottom of the vacuumchamber 4 by means of the po'rt Il) at the top of the chamber 2, thisport being controlled by the upwardly seating valve II mounted on thestem I2 carried by the float I3 arranged within the float chamber 2 forvertical movement therein, being guided at its lower end by the guidestem I4 engaging the spider l5 and at its upper end by the stem I2 whichis arranged through a guide opening lo soV that the valve is seated bythe accumulation or entry of asuita'ble volume of water in the floatchamber 2.

A float II is arranged in the auxiliary float chamber and carries a stemI8 for the upwardly seating valve I9 coacting with the port 2t. Thisfloat I'I is provided with a guide stem IBI at its lower end coactingwith the spider IEI at its upper end with a guide opening I 6|corresponding to`V that previously described for the main float anddesignated I6.

A vertical passage 2| opens from the bottom of the-vacuumchamber andinto the bottom of the auxiliary float chamber through the lateralopening 22. Thisfpassa-ge is formed in the main body casting between themain and auxiliary float chambers. At its lower end, the passage 2| is Yprovided with a combined Venting and drain port 123Y controlled by thevalve 24 which is exposed on its outer side to atmospheric pressure. Thestem 25 of this valve extends through the passage 2| and through anopening 2li at the topo-f the vacuum chamber and into a coupling element2T Acarried by a bellows type of pressure responsive element 28.

This thimble-like coupling member is mounted at itsV outer end on theouter movable end of the bellows element 23, its inner or lower endbeing spacedfabove the partition 29 between the vacuum chamber 4 and thechamber 5, OThe lower end of bellows 28 is secured to partition 29 andthe bellows is interiorly in communica,- tion with the vacuum chamberthrough the opening 26 in the partition. y

At its upper end, the valve stem 25 is provided with a head 33 which isengaged by the thrust spring 3|, the outer end of this spring lbeingin'engagement with the threaded plugf32.

Head 3D is restrained from downward movement relative to coupling member2I. Chamber 5 is connected by a passage 33 to the top of the main floatchamber 2 at the outside of the pressure responsive element or bellows28.

A relief valve 34 controls the relief port 35 which connects the vacuumchamber 4 with the top of the main float chamber 2. This valve isretained by a cage 36,

In normal position, or position of rest, the movable parts arepositioned as shown in Fig. 1. When the engine or other vacuum means isstarted or turned on, the vacuum is communicated through the pipe 8 andthe port 20 to the auxiliary chamber 3 and through to the connections 2|and 22 with the vacuum chamber 4 and from the vacuum chamber through theport I to the main float chamber 2. Since this chamber 2 is connected tothe pipe 8, the air is drawn out of the pump and when it is exhausted,liquid is drawn into the main float chamber, gradually lling the sameand causing the main oat to rise and close the port I0.

So long as the liquid does not completely ll chamber 2 to the point ofseating valve II the vacuum therein which is the same as that inchambers 4 and 5 is communicated to bellows enclosing chamber externallyof the bellows by passage 33, hence the same amount of vacuum existsexternally and internally of the bellows. However, when the liquid llschamber 2 suiciently to cause valve II to close, the communication ofpassage 33 with vacuum chamber 4 is interrupted with the result that thevacuum inside the bellows increases over that externally of the bellows,which is cut off from the engine source by closing of valve Il, causingthe bellows to collapse downwardly.

If the valve actuating rod or stem were rigidly connected t-o valve 24it would result in an undesirable balanced operation as follows.Inasmuch as the valve 24 is subject to the same vacuum as the pressureresponsive bellows the tendency would be for valve 24 to remain inpractically closing relation to port 23, fluttering thereagainst as thebellows rst thrust the valve down and then returning upwardly under theinfluence of the spring of the bellows when the vacuum is diminished invacuum chamber 4. This would not satisfactorily open fully port 23 toatmospheric pressure, hence I have incorporated a lost motion connectionbetween the bellows 28 and stem 25 including the coil compression spring3l. With this structure, when bellows 28 is initially compressed asdescribed above by the greater vacuum effective on its interior, thestem 25 is not at rst shifted downwardly, valve 24 being maintainedagainst port 23 by the vacuum effective thereon. However, afterpredetermined movement of the bellows the resistance of spring 3| isovercome, with the result that stem 25 is snapped downwardly abruptly bythe spring with suflicient force and to a sufficient extent to fullyopen up port 23, without the aforesaid balanced condition of the valvewhich results in unsatisfactory operation. y

When valve 24 is opened in the foregoing manner it communicates vacuumchamber 4 with the atmospheric pressure, with the result that the checkor relief valve 34 is raised from port 35 by reason of the existingsuspension of liquid in chamber 2. This in turn vents the top of thischamber with atmosphere and allows the liquid therein to quickly fall inor drain from the chamber.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that passage 33 is a pressureequalizing link between chambers 2 and 5 for preventing pressureactuation of the bellows and consequent actuation of drain valve 24until float chamber 2 comes t0 the point of actuating the valve I I atwhich time the operation of drain valve 24 takes place to drain anyliquid from the vacuum chamber which may have accumulated therein.Coacting with this arrangement is the relief valve 34 and port 35 tosimultaneously restore the parts to initial condition for succeedingoperations.

The valve I9 and its actuating float in the auxiliary float chamber arein eiect safety means as in the event float I3 should be collapsed orbecome inoperative water would be drawn through the vacuum chamber 4 andinto the auxiliary float chamber, the float chamber and the oat I'Iactuated to close the valve and thus prevent water being drawn into theengine manifold. Float I1 is not subject to severe rushes or impacts ofwater and this float and its valve serve as an effective safety meansguarding the source of vacuum.

My improved priming device is very rapid and efficient in its operationand the parts thereof are not likely to become injured or inoperative.However, as stated, should the f loat I3 be injured or becomeineffective for any reason to close the valve II, the float I'Icontrolling the valve I9 serves as a safety means.

The primer is automatically self-vented and drained and is entirelyautomatic in its operation.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated and described is highlydesirable on account of compactness and structural simplicity. Further,the parts are very simple and economical and are arranged so that noneof them are likely to become damaged or inoperative. I am aware,however, that other embodiments within the scope of the invention willsuggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It should be understoodthat the foregoing terminology is only used descriptively rather than ina limiting sense and with the full intent to include equivalents of thefeatures shown and described within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a priming device the combination of a main float chamber and anauxiliary float chamber disposed in side by side relation, the mainfloat chamber being adapted for connection at the bottom thereof with apump to be primed, the auxiliary float chamber having a vacuum port atthe top thereof adapted for connection to a vacuum source, a vacuumchamber disposed in elevated position relative to said main floatchamber, the latter having a port at the top thereof communicating thesame with said vacuum chamber, there being a passage communicating thebottom of said vacuum chamber with the bottom of said auxiliary floatchamber for normal communication of said vacuum source with the vacuumchamber through said vacuum port, auxiliary float chamber and passage,said passage having a drain port at the lower end thereof, a`main floatarranged in said main float chamber having an upwardly seating valvecoacting with said main chamber port, an auxiliary float in saidauxiliary chamber provided with an upwardly seating valve coacting withsaid vacuum port, pressure responsive venting means connecting saidvacuum chamber to the top of said'main float chamber, including apressure relief valve subject to pressures in the vacuum and main floatchambers, a hollow expansible and contractible element responsive todifference in pressures on opposite sides thereof, a chamber therefordisposed in elevated relation to said vacuum chamber, there being apassage connecting said element enclosing chamber ex` ternally and ononeV side of said element with the top of said main float chamber, theelement being internally and on the other side thereof in communicationwith and subject to the Vacuum chamber, and the exterior of said elementbeing likewise subject to the vacuum in said vacuum chamber through saidlast named passage and main float chamber port when said port is open,to equalize the pressure on opposite sides of the element, said equalityof pressure being terminated When the main oat valve closes said mainfloat chamber port, whereby the vacuum chamber Vacuum effectiveinteriorly of said element increases above that exteriorly thereof, andan upwardly seating valve ccacting with said drain port and having alost motion spring actuating connection to said pressure responsiveelement for actuation thereby to open said drain port and expose saidvacuum chamber to atmosphere, said relief valve being actuated therebyto equalize the pressures on either side thereof and enable restorationof said main float valve to original condition out of seating engagementwith said main chamber port.

2. n a priming device the combination of a main iioat chamber and anauxiliary float chamber, the main oat chamber being adapted forconnection with a pump to be primed, the auxiliary float chamber havinga vacuum port adapted for connection to a vacuum source, a vacuumchamber disposed in elevated position relative to said main floatchamber, the latter having a port at the top thereof communicating thesame with said vacuum chamber, there being a passage communicating saidvacuum chamber with said auxiliary float chamber for normal communica- Ltion of said vacuum source with the vacuum chamber through said vacuumport, auxiliary float chamber and passage, said passage having a drainport, a main float arranged in said main float chamber having anupwardly seating valve coacting with said main chamber port, anauxiliary float in said auxiliary chamber provided with an upwardlyseating valve coacting with said vacuum port, pressure responsiveventing means connecting said vacuum chamber to the top of said mainfloat chamber, including a pressure relief valve subject to pressures inthe vacuum and main float chambers, a hollow ex- .pansible andcontractible element responsive to `difference in pressures on oppositesides thereof,

a chamber therefor, there being a passage connecting said elementenclosing chamber externally and on one side of said element with thetop of said main float chamber, the element being internally and on theother side thereof in communication with and subject to the vacuum insaid vacuum chamber, and the exterior of said element being likewisesubject to the vacuum in said vacuum chamber through said last namedpassage and main float chamber port when said port is open, to equalizethe pressure on opposite sides of the element, said equality of pressurebeing terminated when the main floatV valve closes said main floatchamber portwhereby the vacuum chamber vacuum effective interiorly ofsaid element increases above that exteriorly thereof and a valvecoacting with said drain port and havinga lost motion spring actuatingconnection to said pressure responsive element for actuation thereby toopen said drain port and expose said vacuum chamber to atmosphere, saidrelief valve being actuated thereby to equalize the pressures on eitherside thereof and enable restoration of said main float valve to originalcondition out of seating engagement Vwith said main chamber port.

3. In a priming device the combination of a main float chamber and anauxiliary float chamber, the main float chamber being adapted forconnection with Ya pump to be primed, the auxiliary float chamber havinga vacuum port adapted for connection to a vacuum source, a vacuumchamber adjacent said main float chamber, the latter having a port atthe top thereof communicating the same with said vacuum chamber, therebeing a passage communicating said vacuum chamber with said auxiuiaryfloat chamber for normal communication of said vacuum source with thevacuum chamber through said vacuum port, auxiliary float chamber andpassage, said passage having a drain port, a main oat arranged in saidmain float chamber having a valve coacting with said main chamber port,an auxiliary float in said auxiliary chamber provided with a valvecoacting with said vacuiun port, pressure responsive venting meansconnecting said vacuum chamber to the top cf said main float chamber,including a pressure re lief valve subject to pressures in the vacuumand main float chambers, a hollowV expansible and contractibleelementresponsive to difference in pressures on opposite sides thereof,a chamber therefor, there being a passage connecting said elementenclosing chamber externally and on one side of said element with thetop of said main iioat chamber, the element being internally and on theother side thereof in communication with and subject to the vacuum insaid vacuum chainber, and the exterior of said element being likewisesubject to the vacuum in said vacuum chamber through said last namedpassage and main float chamber port when said port is open, to equalizethe pressure on opposite sides of the element, said equality of pressurebeing terminated when the main oat valve closes said main float chamberport, whereby the vacuum chamber vacuum effective interiorly of saidelement increases above that exteriorly thereof, and a valve coactingwith said drain port and having an actuating connection to said pressureresponsive element for actuation thereby to open said drain port andexpose said vacuum chamber to atmosphere, said relief valve being`actuated thereby to equalize the pressures on either side thereof andenable restoration of said main noz-1t valve to original condition outof seating engagement with said main chamber port.

4. In a priming device the combination of a float chamber adapted forconnection with a pump to be primed, a vacuum source, a vacuum chamberadjacent said float chamber, the latter having a port at the top thereofcommunicating the same with said vacuum chamber, there being arpassagecommunicating said vacuum chamber with said vacuum source, said passagehaving a drain port, a oat arranged in said float chamber having a valvecoacting with said chamber port, pressure responsive venting meansconnecting said vacuum chamber to the top ofsaid float chamber,including a pressure relief valve subject to pressures in the vacuum andoat chambers, a hollow expansible and contractible element responsive todifference in pressures on opposite sides thereof, a chamber therefor,there being a passage connecting said element enclosing chamberexternally and on one side of said element with the top of said iioatchamber, the element being on the other side thereof in communicationwith and subject to the vacuum in said vacuum chamber, and the exteriorof said element being likewise subject to the vacuum in said vacuumchamber through said last named passage and float chamber port when saidport is open, to equalize the pressure on opposite sides of the element,said equality of pressure being terminated when the float valve closessaid float chamber port, whereby the vacuum chamber vacuum effectiveinteriorly of said element increases above that exteriorly thereof, anda valve coacting with said drain port and having an actuating connectionto said pressure responsive element for actuation thereby to open saiddrain port and expose said vacuum chamber to atmosphere, said reliefvalve being actuated thereby to equalize the pressures on either sidethereof and enable restoration of said float valve to original conditionout of seating engagement with said chamber port.

5. In a priming device the combination of a float chamber adapted forconnection with a pump to be primed, a vacuum source, a vacuum chamberadjacent said float chamber, the latter having a port at the top thereofcommunicating the same with said vacuum chamber, there being a passagecommunicating said vacuum chamber with said vacuum source, said passagehaving a drain port, a float arranged in said iloat chamber having avalve coacting with said chamber port, pressure responsive venting meansconnecting said vacuum chamber to the top of said float chamber,including a pressure relief valve subject to pressures in the vacuum andoat chambers, an element responsive to difference in pressures onopposite sides thereof, a chamber therefor, there being a passageconnecting said element enclosing chamber on one side of said elementwith the top of said float chamber, the element being on the other sidethereof in communication with and subject to the vacuum in said vacuumchamber, and said one side of said element being likewise subject to thevacuum in said vacuum chamber through said last named passage and oatchamber port when said port is open, to equalize the pressure onopposite sides of the element, said equality of pressure beingterminated when the fioat valve closes said float chamber port, wherebythe vacuum chamber vacuum effective on said other side of said elementincreases above that on said other side thereof, and a valve coactingwith said drain port and having an actuating connection to said pressureresponsive element for actuation thereby to open said drain port andexpose said vacuum chamber to atmosphere, said relief valve beingactuated thereby to equalize the pressures on either side thereof andenable restoration of said float valve to original condition out ofseating arrangement with said chamber port.

6. In a priming device the combination of a float chamber adapted forconnection with a pump to be primed, a vacuum source, a vacuum chamberadjacent said oat chamber, the latter having a port at the top thereofcommunicating the same with said vacuum chamber, there being a passagecommunicating said vacuum chamber with said vacuum source, said passagehaving a drain port, a float arranged in said oat chamber having a valvecoacting with said chamber port, an element responsive to diiference inpressures on opposite sides thereof, a chamber therefor, there being apassage connecting said element enclosing chamber on one side of saidelement with the top of said float chamber, the element being on theother side thereof in communication with and subject to the vacuum insaid vacuum chamber, and said one side of said element being likewisesubject to the vacuum in said vacuum chamber through said last namedpassage and iioat chamber port when said port is open, to equalize thepressure on opposite sides of the element, said equality of pressurebeing terminated when the float valve closes said float chamber port,whereby the vacuum chamber vacuum effective on said other side of saidelement increases above that on said other side thereof, and a valvecoacting with said drain port and having an actuating connection to saidpressure responsive element for actuation thereby to open said drainport and expose said vacuum chamber to atmosphere said oat chamber beingprovided with a relief valve to relieve the liquid suspension therein.

7. In a priming device, the combination of a iloat chamber adapted forconnection with a pump to be primed, a vacuum chamber, said oat chambercommunicating with said vacuum chamber, a valve controlling thecommunication between said chambers, a vent valve for said vacuumchamber, a float arranged within said fioat chamber and operativelyconnected with said iirst named valve, a relief valve connection forsaid vacuum chamber to said oat chamber, a pressure responsive elementresponsive to differential in pressure at opposite sides thereof, achamber for said element, said element being in operative communicationat one side with said vacuum chamber, there being an equalizing passagefor said element chamber opening thereto at the other side of theelement and to said float chamber, and operating connections for saidvent valve to said pressure responsive element, said vent valve beingsubject to atmospheric pressure acting to open the same, said connectionto said pressure responsive element including a thrust spring providinga lost motion operating connection for said pressure responsive elementto said vent valve.

8. In a priming device, the combination of a float chamber adapted forcommunication with a pump to be primed, a vacuum chamber, said floatchamber communicating with said vacuum chamber, a valve controlling thecommunication between said chambers a vent valve for said vacuumchamber, a float arranged within said float chamber and operativelyconnected with said irst named valve, said float chamber having a reliefvalve for equalizing the pressure therein with that of the vacuumchamber when the latter is vented by said vent valve, a pressureresponsive element responsive to diierential in pressure at oppositesides thereof, a chamber for said element, said element being inoperative communication at one side with said vacuum chamber. therebeing an equalizing passage for said element chamber opening thereto atthe other side of the element and to said float chamber, and operatingconnections for said vent valve to said pressure responsive element,said vent valve being subject to atmospheric pressure acting to open thesame.

9. In a priming device, the combination of a oat chamber adapted forconnection with a pump to be primed, a vacuum chamber, said oatcommunicating With said vacuum chamber, a valve controlling thecommunication between said chambers a vent valve for said vacuumchamber, a oat arranged Within said oat chamber and operativelyconnected with said rst named valve, a relief valve connection for saidvacuum chamber to said oat chamber, a pressure responsive element, achamber for said element, said element being in operative communicationWith said vacuum chamber, there being an equalizing passage for saidelement chamber opening thereto at the outside of the element and tosaid float chamber, and operating connections for said vent Valve tosaid pressure responsive element. n

10. In a priming device, the combination of a float chamber adapted forconnection with a pump to be primed, a vacuum chamber, said floatchamber having a valved connection with said vacuum chamber, a ventvalve for said vacuum chamber, said float chamber having a relief valvefor relieving vacuum condition therein when the vacuum chamber isvented, a float arranged within said float chamber and operativelyconnected with said valve, a pressure responsive element, a chamber forsaid element, said element being in operative communication With saidvacuum chamber, there being an equalizing passage for said elementchamber opening thereto at the outside ofthe element and to said oatchamber, and operating connections for said vent valve to said pressureresponsive element.

11. In a priming device, the combination of a iioat chamber, and avacuum chamber, a float controlled valved connection for said floatchamber to said vacuum chamber, the float thereof being arranged in saidiioat chamber, a vent valve for venting said vacuum chamber to theatmosphere, said float chamber having a relief valve for relievingvacuum condition therein when said vacuum chamber is vented, vacuummeans connected to said vacuum chamber, there being a float controlledsafety valve ,in said vacuum means connection, and a pressure responsiveelement operatively associated with said vacuum chamber and with saidvent valve therefor, said vent valve also constituting a drain valve forsaid vacuum chamber.

12. In a priming device, the combination of a oat chamber, and a vacuumchamber, a float controlled valved connection for said oat chamber t0said vacuum chamber, the float thereof being arranged in said floatchamber, a vent valve for venting said vacuum chamber to the atmosphere,said oat chamber having a relief valve for relieving vacuum conditiontherein when said vacuum chamber is vented, vacuum means connected tosaid vacuum chamber, and a pressure responsive element operativelyassociated With said vacuum chamber and with said vent valve therefor.

13. In a priming device, the combination of a float chamber, and avacuum chamber, a oat controlled valved connection for said floatchamber to said vacuum chamber, the float being arranged in said floatchamber, a vent valve venting said vacuum chamber, vacuum meansconnected to said vacuum chamber, a pressure responsive elementoperatively associated With said vacuum chamber and with said vent valvetherefor, and a relief valve connection for said vacuum and floatchambers.

BENJAMIN D. BARTON.

